Learn How to Clean Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (LVT)

While sheet vinyl can be cleaned quickly and easily, LVP flooring lasts longer and is more comfortable to walk on. PVC is used to create both types of flooring (polyvinyl chloride).

Sheet vinyl is a type of vinyl that comes in a thin, flexible roll or tile with a transparent protective coating over the pattern layer. The clear top coat, the design layer with the printed image, the cushioning foam, the fiberglass backing, and the rigid PVC backing all contribute to luxury vinyl’s increased strength and rigidity. Installation of luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and tiles (LVT) is accomplished with a click-and-lock mechanism not dissimilar to that of laminate.

LVT Flooring: How Often Should It Be Cleaned?

High-traffic areas of your home that have LVP or LVT flooring should be dry cleaned or vacuumed daily to remove grit that can cause scratches and maintain the floors looking their best. At a minimum, the floor must be mopped and wiped down once a week. Cleaning up spills as soon as possible is best to avoid permanent stains.

Sift Out the Loose Mud

LVP flooring can be damaged by grit and filth. Sweeping, dust mopping, or vacuuming daily in heavily traveled areas will help preserve the surface. To avoid scratching the floor, turn off the vacuum’s beater bar or get a type that doesn’t have one.

Pick a Cleaner

Cleaning LVP and LVT flooring are accessible with several commercially available cleaning products. But before you use a commercial floor cleaner on your LVP floors, check the label to see whether it contains any chemicals that could damage the flooring. Ammonia-containing products are harmful to vinyl flooring. The coating left by some mop and shine chemicals works as a magnet for dirt. To clean LVP flooring without inflicting irreparable harm, you can easily make a cleaning solution with items already in your home.

Put together a Cleaning Agent.

Get a mop, a pail of hot water, a deep sink, and a few drops of dish soap. Pick a liquid soap with a degreaser, such as Dawn, to clean the flooring in the kitchen. It’s counterproductive to create too many suds; an excess soap can leave a coating that draws dust and debris. One cup of distilled white vinegar added to one gallon of warm water is an effective floor cleaner that may be used anywhere.

Scrub to Clean

Mop the floor by soaking it in the cleaning solution and wringing away the excess water. Alternatively, you can use a device like the Libman Tornado Spin Mop System, which drains the water without the need for wringing. The mop must be moist but not dripping. I recommend beginning in one room’s corners, so you always have a way out. As dirt is picked up from the floor and transferred to the mop, you should frequently rinse and wring it out.

If you haven’t used too much soap, rinsing isn’t necessary. On the other hand, sticky floors can be easily remedied by giving them a short rinse with a solution of water and distilled white vinegar. The flooring must be left open to the air for drying.

Get Rid of Stubborn Stains

Make a baking soda paste and water to eliminate stains left by food or liquids like tomato sauce or red wine (two tablespoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of water). The paste can be applied to the spots, and then the microfiber cloth can be used to gently clean away the food without scratching the vinyl.

Use rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth to remove lipstick, grease, or ink stains. To prevent the stain from spreading, begin at the perimeter and work inward. To prevent the stain from spreading, it is essential to constantly move to a new, uncontaminated area of the material.

Damage: LVP flooring can be scratched by shoes and furniture. Spray a small amount of WD-40 onto the scratch and buff it off with a dry microfiber cloth.

Suggestions for Extending the Life of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Protect your flooring by putting a doormat or throw rug at each entrance.

Use floor protectors with a felt backing to shield your floors from dings caused by chairs and tables.

Place a protective mat down or remove the wheels of your furniture to avoid scratching.

It would help if you never scrub LVP floors with strong cleansers, steel wool, or a sharp bristle brush.

LVP and LVT flooring should not be waxed with liquid or paste wax. EVER!

Remember if you decide to hire a professional to clean your Luxury Vinyl Tile, Sandless in Seattle is happy to get you a fair price. Enjoy the video.